Founded in 1870, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences is a cornerstone college of The Ohio State University.
That’s 150 years of delivering the land-grant mission -- teaching agriculture, science, and engineering -- in one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive universities.
This milestone arrives at a remarkable moment of opportunity for Ohio State, CFAES, our alumni, students, faculty and staff, partners, and friends to come together as one.
Time and Change, the university’s historic comprehensive fundraising campaign, launched during Homecoming Week in October 2019, coinciding with the beginning of celebrations for the 150th anniversary for both the university and the college. The campaign has goals of raising $4.5 billion and engaging 1 million supporters.
For its part, CFAES has a goal of raising $225 million in private support focusing on new Time and Change funds created to embody the college’s campaign priorities of Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, student success, and discovery and translating research:
- Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory is a core for teaching, research, and community engagement on 261 acres on the Columbus Campus. Capital investments at Waterman will include a modernized dairy farm, and three new cutting-edge facilities, one of which, the Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building, has opened. That will be followed by the Controlled Environment Food Production Research Complex and a multispecies animal learning center. Waterman Facilities Fund (#316494) supports capital investment in Waterman, including but not limited to design, construction, maintenance, and/or renovations.
- Through innovative educational opportunities and a complete portfolio of programs, CFAES will focus on students of all ages and across all areas of food, agricultural, and environmental systems. The CFAES Student Success Fund (#316752) supports initiatives and staffing needs in areas centered around K-12 education through Ohio 4-H, preparing our enrolled students to grow into future leaders, updating current industry personnel with recertification and advisory programs, and offering outreach services to the public through Ohio State Extension.
- CFAES will be bridging research to advance scientific discovery, understanding, and practical application to engage our many stakeholders. CFAES Translating Research (#316753) helps provide staff and resources for undertaking research projects in agriculture, food production and environmental sustainability, and sharing relevant findings relatable to the industry and general public.
These themes align with Ohio State’s strategic planning efforts and address four Grand Challenges as identified by CFAES. The challenges represent some of the world’s most significant issues: sustainability, one health, rural-urban interface, and preparing future leaders.
A successful campaign will enable the cornerstone college to achieve its potential on behalf of the public good and continue the land-grant mission for the next 150 years.
Join us. To learn how to donate or get involved, contact Emily Winnenberg Kruse at 614-247-7606 or kruse.192@osu.edu.
